Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli revealed today that forward Nathan Horton has been cleared for contact.

Horton missed most of the second half of last season with a concussion after a hit from Philadelphia’s Tom Sestito Jan. 22.

“I haven’t talked to our training staff lately, but Nathan Horton has been cleared for contact and by all accounts from our medical staff will be ready to play when it comes time to play,” Chiarelli said during a press conference for head coach Claude Julien’s contract extension. “Adam McQuaid has been completely cleared. [Tyler] Seguin is on his road to recovery in the original time frame and it may be sooner than that.”

McQuaid is also returning from a concussion. Seguin is recovering from finger surgery.

Hey guys,
Sorry for not getting back sooner. Doan and Montreal are not a good fit. There was some controversy a few years back with him allegedly calling a French ref a ‘frog’. It seems like nothing but it IS a big deal for certain Francophones and most definitely the French press. Personally, I don’t know why Doan would want to come within 500 miles of a contract with Montreal given the fact that he’s a simple country kid. Perhaps being related to Price is factoring into this.

Doan is a lot of money for an older player. Montreal is notorious for overpaying, and getting less from players once they arrive. Personally, I think I need to be realistic on this one. The team finished last. They should use this time to develop some of their better younger players and give them some ice time.

George,
That’s kind of what I was thinking. I don’t think you really wanna spend your cap space on Doan unless you see him as the missing piece. To your point, that’s a lotta dough for a 2nd line player on a contender. I think that Doan has oodles of character, grit, and leadership, but I don’t believe that we are talking about a top-of-the-line scoring talent. I think he’d be a perfect 2nd liner who can play up a line in injury situations. I see him as being a lower scoring, more physical Hossa (who for the record, is a top line talent).

David, I know your question was to RD but my answer that Doan’s alleged contract demands (4yr/30mil?) to leave Pheonix is just too steep of a contract for the Habs. Living in MA, I don’t see much of the Coyotes but a 35+ contract for that money and term would seem like a desperation offer from a Sabres billionaire owner, or a desperation offer from a Flyers GM that seems to try and acquire every notable player on the market.

Besides we all know that the Canadiens prefer to have Americans on their team

I think the dude’s beliefs are nuttier then squirrel turds. But, that doesn’t change the fact that he had a very large part in bringing the Cup back to Boston and had some absolutely fantastic seasons in the blue paint for the Black & Gold. That’s what I’ll remember him for and that’s what will be written about in the history books.

Well RD,
I believe the last time Thomas said something to this affect that Matt wrote a piece where he ripped on Thomas for his timing and for distracting the team. An anonymous Bruin was quoted as saying something like, “He isn’t playing next year, which means he’s not my teammate, which means I don’t have to react to his Facebook posts.” To me this an indicator the boys in the locker room are pretty annoyed by this as well, as am I. He has his views and is now taking advantage of his fame to essentially act like a basketball star does and say whatever the fudge they want. It’ll be great when the media leaves Thomas alone or better yet, he stops posting on Facebook.

BTW,
What’s your take on Doan to the Canadiens? It seems foolish for both sides, especially Doan, in my estimation.

Yeah, your point of view is correct. But given the quiet summer you guys have had, this was news worthy. I sometimes wonder if this site is somehow not entirely independent…but if it actually is, Matt is a throwback journalist that actually has the class not to publish every dirt piece.

RD. I don’t share Thomas’ viewpoints but his comments do not bother me. What bothers me is that it appears he has no respect for how his actions and comments affect his teammates and the organization. I just wish he kept a lower profile on this stuff until he was officially retired.